Collection types and collecting habits, a discussion...

So, I’m very new to this awesome forum which I’m finding offers a slew of very useful information and very knowledgeable members. I am not new to collecting, though I am new to “organized” collecting.

I have been collecting for 30+ years, since being a child of the 80s. I have inherited both grandfathers’ life-long collections and, therefore, have a decent-sized collection.

However, the more I’m getting into the forum here, I’m realizing my collection is sort of lacking in identity. A lot of folks on here have specific goals, say a complete set of Morgans in MS63+ grade; a complete set of Mercury dimes in MS; etc. I never thought about collecting in these terms. I would always just see a nice coin I like and buy it if it’s in my means. I have a complete set of Franklin halves, but not in a specific grade range. I have a complete set of Roosevelt dimes (minus the doubled dies and missing mint marks) but again, not in a specific grade range. What I do have is a ton of uncirculated and proof sets. It has been a goal of mine to actually collect all mint and proof sets ever made, including premier, prestige, silver, etc. So, I guess that’s something.

Still, does my collection which lacks a specific “direction” defy “serious collector” norms? Or is my style of collecting still considered a respectable part of the hobby? I really enjoy my collection which I think, in the end, is really all that matters from any hobby. But I’m just curious as to what others’ habits are in collecting...... I don’t think there are any right answers or wrong answers and I’m hoping to hear from a wide range collectors from casual to expert. What say you?

 

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Oh man, I collect everything from obsolete banknotes to Krugerrands, silver rounds to Ancient coins. Who cares about focus? I just love all of it so much!

 

And I’m along that same line. I have a lot of paper currency, foreign coins from more countries than I can count and then soooo many different types of US coins from the past 3 centuries. I’m wondering how many people collect like this versus how many people collect with a specific focus on sets and grades. I read articles in magazines about collectors who have complete sets of every modern coin in AU58 or MS65 and it makes me wonder how many different types of collector there are out there...

 

I think you are correct, in that there are no right or wrong answers. You collect
what ever makes you happy. Personally, I want every mint, of every year, of every denomination, from every country for at least the whole of the 21st century, if not more. Impossible goal I know, but I'll give it my best shot.

 

Only the 21st century? Why limit yourself

 

I've been collecting for nearly 13 years, and I've never been driven by specific direction, only what catches my eye. I started at 8 years old, looking over the coin counter of my local flea market, buying whatever I could with a ten dollar bill. My tastes have changed for sure, and I look for quality over quantity, but I always knew that if I was driving to "complete a set", it would suck the fun out of it for me. Besides, when do we "arrive" in coin collecting, anyway?

 

If you get a shiny 2017 Lincoln penny in your pocket change, do you put it aside and protect it as part of your collection? Even though it’s only worth a penny, do you keep it with the thought that it could appreciate as time goes on? I imagine that’s what my grandfathers did when they collected Wheat cents—coins that weren’t worth more than face value at the time they collected them new, with hopes that they’d gain value. To me, if it’s an attractive coin, it’s worth preserving.

 

Don't drink the Kool Aid, and enjoy what you have. I've many examples,
from my youth, that remain 'undignified'. To 'dignify' them would require a fortune in funds, but I don't drink 'Kool Aid', I drink 'scotch', and that's what keeps me grounded........

 

When I first got back into collecting, I was all over the place. First said I'd do large cents, then Lincolns, then I (unintentionally) bought a Dansco of Washingtons filled from 1965 through 2007 of BU's, including all proofs. I decided to do a complete Washington set (1932 to current). So I did, Then I was given an empty Franklin Dansco, and had to fill that. So I did. Then I bought a complete large cent collection (minus a couple of the insane key dates), so that filled my LC need. Then I fell into a complete Roosevelt Whitman in AU+, then a large portion of the complete Mercury set.

In other words, my collecting had no focus. I was buying anything and everything that struck my fancy. But to me, it was all boring, and I wasn't getting much satisfaction out of it.

I then discovered I really liked the early silver commemoratives, and went hog-wild on a quest to complete that set (50), and I'm almost there. This set is taking me longer because I became picky in what I wanted. I find it to be tons more enjoyable to collect a single series, in with specific goals in mind for each purchase, rather then just buying a coin to fill a hole.

Neither way is right or wrong, and as long as you are enjoying it, that's what makes it the right way. Be careful though, there may be a day when you realize you really like a specific set over every other coin in your collection, then you'll become obsessed. Obsessions get expensive quickly!

 

Not really. Most people may have a main set they work on but very few people at this point collect a single focus and never stray from it.

Absolutely. The collect whatever is appealing is actually picking up in popularity as collectors are branching out into different areas more.

 

I too am a scotch man. Nothing like a well-aged single malt to go along with a well-toned silver...

 

Yeah, the all-over-the-place definitely describes my style... A large cent here, then a 3-cent piece from the Civil War era, then a nice FB Mercury dime. I definitely find a large array of coins appealing. I do, however, like I said, have a desire to complete the uncirculated and proof set collections. So, I guess I can consider that a focus... Thanks for the responses so far everyone, love to read about other people’s ideas

 

Heck, a bit of slanty label 'red' ain't too far below me.

 

Been collecting ever since my mom handed me a Franklin half (that I still have) for lunch in the fifth grade. I look at my collection and think I am more a hoarder than collector. I have two collections really. I have my kid collection and my adult collection.... And thing is, I enjoy them both equally really. I purchase what sparks my interest. After all, the enjoyment of holding a piece of history is is magical whether it is of average circulated condition or not. Create your own identity. Just always appreciate and enjoy the history you are entrusted with.

 

Just curious, what year did you get that Franklin?

 

Fifth grade thereabouts. Certainly well after copper clad took over. 67-68ish.

 

I’ve been a collector since a family vacation to DC in ‘86 and a visit to the Treasury. I got a Statue of Liberty commemorative set and was hooked. My dad had a collection he’d had since childhood which he shared with me and I was fascinated by the Mercury dimes and Franklin halves and Buffalo nickels which weren’t in circulation anymore. To me, the history of the coins is amazing. To hold an 1880s Morgan dollar and wonder about whose pockets it had been in and what families it had provided food for is a big part of the thrill for me.

 

I collect what I think is pretty. I also collect some ugly stuff. It's all fun.

 

Collect what you can afford and have fun with. That's what counts.

 

There is no direction nor reason to my old age collecting. I do prefer half dollar and dollar size silver coins I guess. Can see them better. LOL. I just buy what I like and feel that I am getting a decent price on. I can't afford high dollar coins. I am never going to complete a set of anything. A nice PCGS graded coin is gravy for the collection to me. I like shiny silver bling. I do it for the fun of it. This forum is very enjoyable to me also. Great place to hang out.